Washboard.



wiLtrs A. wrLnrNs, or EL Paso, TEXAS.

wnsrrsonnn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

Application filed November 19, 1906. Serial No. 344,187.

To allwhom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, Winnie A. WILKINS, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at El Paso, in the county of El Paso and State ofTexas, have invent# ed newA and useful Improvements 'in llfashboards,Iof which the following isa. specification.

- This invention relates to improvements in washboards, and particularlyto means for holding a cake or bar of soap in position for use thereon so that the clothes will be soaped for the production of suds asthey arelmoved over the rubbing surface of the board.

The object of the invention is to provide a board having meansfor-holding andexposing one of the surfaces of a cake of soap through anopening in the rubbing surface of the board, whereby in the operation ofwashing the clothes the latter will be automatically soaped by Contactwith the exposed surface of the cake, the',

cover and conceal'the soap when its use is not'desired and to form aportion -of a rubbing surface of the board.

In the accompanyng d1awing,-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a washboardembodyingl my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3is a vertical section through the holder and adjacent portion of thewashboard. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal cross section through the holder and'board on line 5-'-5 ofFig. 3'.

Referring to the drawings, l represents a washboard, which may be ofordinary form and construction, except 'that, in accordance with myinvention, its metallic corrugated rubbing surface 2 extends the fulllength of the board to increase the length of such surface. The surface2 is provided with an opening 3 to expose one of the sides or faces ofthe cake or bar of soap 4 arranged within a holder 5 disposed upon therear. of the board.

The rear surface of the board is strengthened by a pair of verticalparallel bracing strips 6 and 7, between which the holder 5 is arranged.The holder comprises a rectangular metallic casing having a removablebottom section 8 having a bearing flange 9 to rest against the rear faceof the rubbing surface Zand 'an upstanding flange 10 extending aroundits rear and sides to embrace the lower open end of the body of theholder.

,The removable section or bottom closure 8 telescopically engages thebody of the holder and forms a bottom rest for the cake of soap,` and isaccordingly vertically adjustable on the body of the holder to adapt thesame for the reception of cakes or bars of soap varying in length.`

The rear wall of the flange 10 is formed with a vertical slot 12 throughwhich passes a thumb screw 13 engaging a threaded opening in the body ofthe holder to clamp the section Sithereto, the slot 12 permitting thesaid bottom section to be vertically Aadjusted to suit the length of thecake of soap and fastened or clamped in adjusted position.

. The holder is hinged or pivoted at one side to one of the strips, asthe strip 7 by hinges or pivots 14 so that it may be swung outwardly andaway from the rubbing surface 2 to permit of the insertion of the soapthrough the front of the holder, affording a convenient means ofinserting the soap without the necessity of detaching the bottom section8. The other or free side of the holder carries locking pins orprojections 15 adapted to engage keeper openings in spring latches 16secured upon the'strip 6, whereby the holder may be fastened in closedposition.

Any suitable means may be employed for holding'the front surface of thecake pressed against the flanges 11 and to feed the cake forwardly in anautomatic manner as it is consumed in use. The means shown in thepresent instance comprises a pressure plate or follower 16 bearingagainst the rear surface of the cake and forced forward by the action ofcoiled springs 17 disposed between the same and the rear wall of thebody of the holder. As the cake decreases in thickness through the lremoval of portions of thefront surface thereof by the clothes as thelatter are rubbed over the rubbing sur-' face 2, the spring actuatedfollower l forces the soap forward in an obvious manner to constantlypresent a new surface for use.

In the operation of washing the clothes by moving the same over therubbing surface 2, it will be understood that the operator brings theclothes into contact with the surface of the cake exposed through theopening 3 until sufficient, soap hasbeen taken'up to supply the requiredamount of suds. By disposing the soap so that only its' outer face isexposed through an opening inthe rubbing surface, but a small portion ofthe soap is exposed to the softening actionof the water and only ftheamount actually required to thoroughly soap the clothes is removed, thuspreventing waste of the soap and securing economy in the consumptionthereof.

1n order to close the opening 3 and shield the soap to prevent furtheruse of the same after a sufficient amount `as new, is:-

ger piece 19 by which'it may be convenientlyoperated. When the slidingplate or closure is moved inwardjt Will close the opening 3, as shown inFig. 5, and shield the soap to prevent the clothes from coming inContact therewith. Preferably' the closure is formed of -acorrugated-metallic plate and is adapted when closed to forma rubbingsurface across the opening 3.

'It will be apparent that the construction described provides a simpleconstruction of soap holder which effects economy in the use of thesoap, permits of the convenient replenishing. of the soap and embodiesother advantageous features. v

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A washbozirdhaving an opening, a soup bolder hinged upon the rear of the boardfoimovement from and toward said opening, said holder' being providedwith an adjustable section to regulate the length thereof, ,and meansfor, securing the holder in operative position,

2, A Washboard having nn opening, a soap holder pivot- :xlly mountedupon the rear of the board for movement tower-I and from said opening,said holder being open at thebottom and front thereof, an adjustablesection closing the bottom of the holder, means for securing saidsection in adjusted position, and an imperforate plate sldably mountedfor movement between the opening and front of the holder to close saidopening and conceal the soap in the holder.

3. A washboard havingan opening, a soap holder pivotally mounted uponthe rear of the board for movement toward and from said opening, saidholder being open at the bottom and front thereof, an adjustable sectionclosing 'the bottom of the holder and telescopicallyv engaging the same,the holder and its adjustable section being provided'with flangesforming a guideway between the same and the board, means for securingsaid adjustable section vin adjusted position, and an imperforate plateslidabiy mounted in said guldeways, to close said opening A and vconcealthe soap in the holder.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIS A. WILKIINS.

